Kennedy, Amarista Stop Padres Slide

Padres Get Great Start, Big Hit To Beat Miami

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MIAMI, FL - APRIL 06: Ian Kennedy #22 of the San Diego Padres pitches during a game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on April 6, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

It wasn't the offensive outburst we've been hoping for, but it's a start! When the Padres woke up in Miami on Sunday morning, they were one of only two teams in baseball that had not scored at least 10 runs yet.

The other was the Cubs (and, historically speaking, you don't want to share too many lists with the Cubs). Adding to the worry was the fact they were facing the Marlins, the only team in baseball to have scored 40 runs already.

So it comes as a bit of a surprise that the Friars snapped their 4-game losing streak with a 4-2 win at Marlins Park.

A big tip of the cap goes to Padres starter Ian Kennedy. The former 21-game-winner got re-acquainted with his old Uncle Charlie. Padres manager Bud Black said after the game Kennedy's curve ball was the best he's seen it since San Diego acquired him from Arizona at last season's trade deadline.

Kennedy gave up one run and struck out five Marlins in six innings of work. Three of his whiffs came on the curve ball. However, Kennedy was en route to suffering a loss because once again the Padres offense was punchless.

Miami led 1-0 in the top of the 7th inning. At the time, the Padres were working on an 18-inning scoreless streak. So with two on and two out, Buddy pulled Kennedy for pinch-hitter Alexi Amarista.

Amarista worked Marlins starter Nathan Eovaldi deep in to the count, fouling off six pitches, before finally lifting a slider up and over the right field wall for a 3-run home run. It was Amarista's first homer of the season, and the first pinch-hit homer of his career.

With that one swing of the bat, Alexi also tied Yonder Alonso for the team RBI lead with three.